Public Eye - Frank Marker TV series 60s/70s

Big changes had occurred in the ITV franchises in Britain in 1968, and ABC had been forced to merge with a rival company to create what became one of the powerhouses of UK television production - Thames Television. Thames picked up the series again in 1969 and produced 46 more episodes; unlike their ABC precursors all 46 remain safely in the archives, although 11 of these were still produced and broadcast in black and white. One other was made in colour (but broadcast in black and white) as a test of Thames' new colour equipment, which was first used for broadcasting from November 1969 - two months after the fourth series of Public Eye finished its on-air run.

ABC's audience research had shown that many viewers found the character of Marker as interesting as his cases - if not more so. For this reason, the first Thames series is quite different in style to the other three and was written entirely by Public Eye co-creator Roger Marshall. Commonly referred to as "the Brighton series" the collection of seven episodes links together to tell the story of Marker's release from prison and his gradual rehabilitation into everyday life, culminating in him renting a new office and starting up again as an enquiry agent. This series also introduces regular characters such as Marker's probation officer Mr Hull and his landlady Mrs Mortimer - the first such characters in the series apart from Marker himself.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• tv
• frank
• marker
• public
• eye
• 60s
• burke
• detective
• columbo

[newquayman]

grounbreaking stuff....immaculately acted

shows todays crap up for what it isn`t.............

[midianholic]

Simply one of the best, if not THE best, TV Shows ever made.

[mikemckv]

Alfred Burke, eh. Flawless.

[SuperBoogley]

what a fantastic show this was the old frank marker i remember

he went to the ritz and ordered lager and chips as all the toffs

looked on nothing these days comes anywhere near pure class like this

[biharandorissa]

very evocative...



[funkyalfonso]

As a kid, my dad introduced me to this jem that I have not forgotten. Marker and Callan, what actors.

[funkyalfonso]

So many tapes wiped. What were they thinking?

[th4397]

wot?????

[biffthebass1]

Great series. Alfred Burke was a great actor. This was far better than some of the stuff we see these days.

[AntarcticaTelevision]

RIP Alfred Burke 1918-2011.

Another great loss of yet another very talented multi-talented actor.

[LaughingGravy73]

Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Alfred Burke. His performances in Public Eye are some of the finest pieces of character acting I've ever seen. My deepest condolences to his family and friends - his legacy will live on through Frank Marker for years to come.

[bradshawvincent]

@Marmiteums yes.just read his obituary in the paper.loved this as a kid.